Introduction

[Jackie and Molly]

Hi everybody

My 12 year old tabby Molly was diagnosed with diabetes this past week. I took her to the vet because she was drinking much more water than usual and urinating a lot, but I really didn't expect diabetes.

I am completely overwhelmed and have broken down in tears a few times since the diagnosis.

Molly was prescribed one unit of Lantus twice a day, but I have not yet started the dose because I am waiting for her prescription from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada. I could not afford the cost of lantus in the US. I am so worried about giving injections and the possibility of hypoglycemia.

I am particular nervous about home testing. Not only about pricking her ears, but about interpreting the test results. I have been reading as much as I can about this on this forum but I am still confused. I just ordered a Contour Next One monitor online.

I would do anything for my cat and I just want to be able to take care off her the best I can. I am concerned that I won't have adequate time to devote to her care. There is only one day a week I can check for glucose curves and I have to take work every time she has to go the vet.

According to the vet she has lost two pounds since her last visit in January 2018 (I know I should have taken her more often, I am definitely going to go as often as I can afford) She was 11 and now she is about 9.5

She normally eats Iams senior dry food and half a can of wet food a day. Unfortunately, we had a pretty serious people food habit. I think this might have been the cause and I feel so guilty!! I have stopped since her vet visit - and I have cut back a lot on her temptations intake. I know how bad dry food can be for cats and I plan to phase out dry food completely with guidance from her vet.

Anyway, hello! I am so glad this resource is available!

 

[Ann & Scatcats]

Oh hugs No need for tears, Molly and you are here now, were each and every of us here have been equally all brand new in each of ours beginnings.

So Welcome onboard.


You don't have your blood glucose meter yet but while you wait you can start look at this blood glucose chart and learn a little about what your blood glucose meter, will tell you in different numbers.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/bg-convert.htm

70-105 are within normal and good bg numbers

105-235 are okay bg numbers

235 is the renal threshold and bg numbers over that are not good numbers.

What did Molly have in blood glucose, bg for short, at the vet?

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Hello and welcome to the best place you never wanted to be. We all know what it felt like in the beginning. We can help you with blood testing and interpreting the resulting numbers. Your vet has started you on a good insulin and a good dose with dry food in the picture. Do you have the U-100 syringes yet for the insulin injections?

It's likely the "senior dry food" is the food problem. The people food is fine if it's meat. The majority of dry foods are just too high in carbs for our diabetic kitties. Does Molly like her wet food? Which wet food is she eating? We can help you find low carb wet food if you aren't feeding it already.

As for testing, we can help you find a schedule that works for that too. One curve a week is fine if you can test before shots and before you go to bed at night.

 

[JanetNJ]

Hi everybody

My 12 year old tabby Molly was diagnosed with diabetes this past week. I took her to the vet because she was drinking much more water than usual and urinating a lot, but I really didn't expect diabetes.

I am completely overwhelmed and have broken down in tears a few times since the diagnosis.

Molly was prescribed one unit of Lantus twice a day, but I have not yet started the dose because I am waiting for her prescription from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada. I could not afford the cost of lantus in the US. I am so worried about giving injections and the possibility of hypoglycemia.

I am particular nervous about home testing. Not only about pricking her ears, but about interpreting the test results. I have been reading as much as I can about this on this forum but I am still confused. I just ordered a Contour Next One monitor online.

I would do anything for my cat and I just want to be able to take care off her the best I can. I am concerned that I won't have adequate time to devote to her care. There is only one day a week I can check for glucose curves and I have to take work every time she has to go the vet.

According to the vet she has lost two pounds since her last visit in January 2018 (I know I should have taken her more often, I am definitely going to go as often as I can afford) She was 11 and now she is about 9.5

She normally eats Iams senior dry food and half a can of wet food a day. Unfortunately, we had a pretty serious people food habit. I think this might have been the cause and I feel so guilty!! I have stopped since her vet visit - and I have cut back a lot on her temptations intake. I know how bad dry food can be for cats and I plan to phase out dry food completely with guidance from her vet.

Anyway, hello! I am so glad this resource is available!

When CC was diagnosed in 2016 I cried hard for about 12 hours straight. I thought I couldn't do it. I thought all the shots and testing would be cruel.

Ya know what? She doesn't flinch for shots or testing and the people in here are a great support. We’ve got your back. Use this time before starting the insulin to change the diet. No dry and no temptations. I have a link in my signature to a food chart. Pick foods under 10 percent carb (under 7 is even better).

I also have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.

Diabetes is not a death sentence and your cat can live a long healthy life.

 

[Juls and Billy]

Jackie, you are in the right place! My Billy was recently diagnosed, and the members here and the information I learned here not only helped me save my sanity, but seriously saved Billy's life. I got his diet changed based on what I learned here, and he's actually doing so well that he's having a trial period with no insulin. We might not be out of the woods yet, but he's doing great.

Every cat is different, and every cat's journey is different. Some cats head quickly for remission once they have the diet and treatment they need, some take longer, and some need insulin the rest of their lives, but all diabetic cats can live long happy lives.

There's tons of information here. Read the sticky posts at the top of each forum section. Read everything about home testing. I promise you it isn't as scary as it seems and it will give you peace of mind. I bribe my Billy with no-carb treats, and other than being a little fidgety sometimes, he gets his test like a champ. He even purrs when he see's me grab the test kit because he knows he's getting a treat. He gets the good stuff at testing time-- Halo freeze dried chicken or some chicken breast I baked for him.

Since you haven't yet started insulin yet, now might be the perfect time to transition him to low-carb wet food. Changing to low carb wet can drop a cat's BGL by over 100 points, so home testing is imperative when the cat is on insulin. There's a great food chart here.

Another great place to start on this forum is the post- New? How You Can Help Us Help You!

I know this all seems overwhelming at first, but I'm telling you that you can totally do this. You and Molly are going to be awesome!

 

[Jackie and Molly]

Oh hugs No need for tears, Molly and you are here now, were each and every of us here have been equally all brand new in each of ours beginnings.

So Welcome onboard.


You don't have your blood glucose meter yet but while you wait you can start look at this blood glucose chart and learn a little about what your blood glucose meter, will tell you in different numbers.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/bg-convert.htm

70-105 are within normal and good bg numbers

105-235 are okay bg numbers

235 is the renal threshold and bg numbers over that are not good numbers.

What did Molly have in blood glucose, bg for short, at the vet?

Thank you so much for your support! Those were the numbers I was looking for. At the time of the diagnosis I really didn't know what questions to ask about this, so I don't have her BG numbers at the time of diagnosis. I will call and ask for the numbers ASAP

 

[Jackie and Molly]

Hello and welcome to the best place you never wanted to be. We all know what it felt like in the beginning. We can help you with blood testing and interpreting the resulting numbers. Your vet has started you on a good insulin and a good dose with dry food in the picture. Do you have the U-100 syringes yet for the insulin injections?

It's likely the "senior dry food" is the food problem. The people food is fine if it's meat. The majority of dry foods are just too high in carbs for our diabetic kitties. Does Molly like her wet food? Which wet food is she eating? We can help you find low carb wet food if you aren't feeding it already.

As for testing, we can help you find a schedule that works for that too. One curve a week is fine if you can test before shots and before you go to bed at night.

I am picking up the syringes today because my pharmacy had to order them. I change her wet food often because I know she likes variety, but I think I am going to stick with the fancy feast classics for now.

I am a vegetarian and only gave her meat when my parents sent over some for her. She likes just about everything- her favorites were anything bread like muffins.. tortilla chips.. all high carb and not good for her, I should not have given into her begging (of course this is my fault though! I am not blaming her in the slightest) She also REALLY likes plain lettuce. I am staying away from the people food now!

Only testing 3 times a day makes me feel better. I am still a bit worried about being off with the times though - I live ~40 minutes from work and with bad traffic it takes me over an hour. I am also finishing up me degree and drive ~50 minutes to school twice a week. Luckily my boyfriend has no problem giving her the insulin if he is available - not sure about the testing though

Thank you so much for your reply!

 

[Jackie and Molly]

When CC was diagnosed in 2016 I cried hard for about 12 hours straight. I thought I couldn't do it. I thought all the shots and testing would be cruel.

Ya know what? She doesn't flinch for shots or testing and the people in here are a great support. We’ve got your back. Use this time before starting the insulin to change the diet. No dry and no temptations. I have a link in my signature to a food chart. Pick foods under 10 percent carb (under 7 is even better).

I also have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.

Diabetes is not a death sentence and your cat can live a long healthy life.

Thank you! This community definitely makes me feel better I was worried about changing her diet before insulin but the more I read about it the more sense it seems. I've already cut back plenty on the temptations and I just need to find a good low carb treat. I will certainly be watching the video - thank you!! I just got her some fancy feast at the supermarket. I have to read that food chart as well.

Thanks again!

 

[Jackie and Molly]

Jackie, you are in the right place! My Billy was recently diagnosed, and the members here and the information I learned here not only helped me save my sanity, but seriously saved Billy's life. I got his diet changed based on what I learned here, and he's actually doing so well that he's having a trial period with no insulin. We might not be out of the woods yet, but he's doing great.

Every cat is different, and every cat's journey is different. Some cats head quickly for remission once they have the diet and treatment they need, some take longer, and some need insulin the rest of their lives, but all diabetic cats can live long happy lives.

There's tons of information here. Read the sticky posts at the top of each forum section. Read everything about home testing. I promise you it isn't as scary as it seems and it will give you peace of mind. I bribe my Billy with no-carb treats, and other than being a little fidgety sometimes, he gets his test like a champ. He even purrs when he see's me grab the test kit because he knows he's getting a treat. He gets the good stuff at testing time-- Halo freeze dried chicken or some chicken breast I baked for him.

Since you haven't yet started insulin yet, now might be the perfect time to transition him to low-carb wet food. Changing to low carb wet can drop a cat's BGL by over 100 points, so home testing is imperative when the cat is on insulin. There's a great food chart here.

Another great place to start on this forum is the post- New? How You Can Help Us Help You!

I know this all seems overwhelming at first, but I'm telling you that you can totally do this. You and Molly are going to be awesome!

Thank you, I admire your positivity and I love hearing about cats going off insulin I've been reading everything I can but it is a lot of information to take in! I will be paying more attention to the food chart and testing her BG once her monitor comes in the mail. I have to get her some low carb treats to bribe her as well lol. She is a good girl and the insulin didn't seem to bother her at all when the vet did a demonstration - I just have to figure out how to keep her still when ear testing.

I am hopeful that a change in diet will help her like it did your billy. I might be a little too optimistic here - but it seems like she is drinking less since cutting back on the treats an people food and her urine is no longer puddling!

Thank you for your response

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to FDMB.

FWIW, feeling overwhelmed is the normal state of being at the beginning of learning how to manage your cat's diabetes. A couple of points. The range most of us use for normal blood glucose (BG) is 50 - 120. Depending on where you read, you will see variations in those numbers.

I agree with everything Wendy said and likewise agree with Juls -- you have an ideal window to transition Molly to a low carb diet so you have a better idea about insulin. It's also a great time to learn how to test. There is a link in the How you Can Help Us Help You post that Juls linked that will take you to the instructions for setting up your spreadsheet. We use the spreadsheet to keep track of your cat's progress.

With regard to home testing, this is the best way to insure that Molly is safe. What will help to get Molly used to the process are treats! Temptations are now something to hide in a closet and maybe use if you need something to bring up her numbers if necessary. Temptations are dreadfully high in carbs. People here tend to use freeze dried chicken (or any other freeze dried protein that their cat likes). Alternatively, some people will buy chicken and cook it off and dice it for their cat. The idea here is that any time you poke your cat in the ear for a test, Molly gets a treat. You want to positively reinforce testing behavior. Any positive reinforcement will work. If Molly isn't food motivated but likes to be brushed, then brush her every time you test.

Once you get your spreadsheet set up and have started giving insulin, you will likely want to venture over to the Lantus board. For the time being, I'd encourage you to read the sticky notes that are at the top of the board. You can ask questions here or on the Lantus board -- it's fine to post in either place. People are very generous with their time and knowledge and are happy to answer your questions. One quick FYI, there is information in the Dosing Methods sticky about how to manage with a full time job that you may find helpful.

 

[JanetNJ]

Thank you! This community definitely makes me feel better I was worried about changing her diet before insulin but the more I read about it the more sense it seems. I've already cut back plenty on the temptations and I just need to find a good low carb treat. I will certainly be watching the video - thank you!! I just got her some fancy feast at the supermarket. I have to read that food chart as well.

Thanks again!

I give my cat pure bites chicken treats. You can get them on amazon or chewy. I buy the ones for dog because the bag is bigger for the money and exactly the same as the cat ones.

 

[JanetNJ]

Purebites Chicken Breast For Dogs, 11.6Oz / 330G - Super Value Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Z3MBRM/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

I am picking up the syringes today because my pharmacy had to order them. I change her wet food often because I know she likes variety, but I think I am going to stick with the fancy feast classics for now.

I am a vegetarian and only gave her meat when my parents sent over some for her. She likes just about everything- her favorites were anything bread like muffins.. tortilla chips.. all high carb and not good for her, I should not have given into her begging (of course this is my fault though! I am not blaming her in the slightest) She also REALLY likes plain lettuce. I am staying away from the people food now!

Only testing 3 times a day makes me feel better. I am still a bit worried about being off with the times though - I live ~40 minutes from work and with bad traffic it takes me over an hour. I am also finishing up me degree and drive ~50 minutes to school twice a week. Luckily my boyfriend has no problem giving her the insulin if he is available - not sure about the testing though

Thank you so much for your reply!

If you are home on weekends you can get more test in then to see how her numbers are

 

[Ann & Scatcats]

Jackie,

I'm a vegetarian since 40 years too, but have had my 4 rescued cats since 1988, for 31 years.
But inspite being vegetarian, I have worked since I was 16 (I am 52 now) in several hotel and restaurant kitchens and cooked as a job for what is the majority of meat eaters.

So with my cats, them as being carnivore cats, I have then, gone into the store's meat section and bought fresh frozen shrimps with shell on that I thaw and peel before, and fresh beef meat which I cut up in small portion pieces for them and given them.

And while Gustav is the very gentleman with very good manners, Simba however is the one who, when a dinner table is set, always is the one that jumps up among the plates on the table thinking that dinner table is set all for him with free help-yourself-serving.
And my Lillen once stole a whole frozen chicken from mom she had put on the kitchen sink for thawing.

So you see they are very resourceful cats!

The only treats Simba has gotten from me for bg testing e.t.c is plenty of hugs and kisses and getting to sit in my lap. I doubt I could be loved anymore than I am by my Simba and Gustav.

But it was daunting the very first time because I thought Simba would bite me and scratch hit me in my face both with giving insulin and during the bg testing but he never did. My sweetheart

 

[Deb & Wink]

.... school twice a week. Luckily my boyfriend has no problem giving her the insulin if he is available - not sure about the testing though

We recently had a woman from Norway who wasn't sure if her husband would test. She travels away from home often, so she needed that support system. It was easier than she thought to get him to test. He even started several days before she traveled, so he knew how to test.

Persuade him and tell him why it's so important. Here's an example of why it's important:

There was a 911 emergency post here last night, for a kitty down to 76 BG reading, 1 hour after getting Prozinc. Low numbers can happen with any type insulin, even lantus.

That member didn't test before each shot either.

Please, test before each and every shot.
Have your hypo kit ready.
Melissa Whitmore did, and it helped save her cat Freckles life last night.
Read this thread, to see how members here helped Melissa and Freckles.
76 BG 1 hour after ProZinc
She didn't have a spreadsheet setup either, Now Melissa does.
She wasn't testing before each shot. Now she will.

 

[Jackie and Molly]

I have been summarzing all of the important information i've been reading on this website to him, I think he will do it once I show him how

I have some treats in case of hypoglycemia and I also have karo just in case

I just want to make sure I have this order right before I start: test, feed, insulin, test. Is this correct?

 

[Jackie and Molly]

Jackie,

I'm a vegetarian since 40 years too, but have had my 4 rescued cats since 1988, for 31 years.
But inspite being vegetarian, I have worked since I was 16 (I am 52 now) in several hotel and restaurant kitchens and cooked as a job for what is the majority of meat eaters.

So with my cats, them as being carnivore cats, I have then, gone into the store's meat section and bought fresh frozen shrimps with shell on that I thaw and peel before, and fresh beef meat which I cut up in small portion pieces for them and given them.

And while Gustav is the very gentleman with very good manners, Simba however is the one who, when a dinner table is set, always is the one that jumps up among the plates on the table thinking that dinner table is set all for him with free help-yourself-serving.
And my Lillen once stole a whole frozen chicken from mom she had put on the kitchen sink for thawing.

So you see they are very resourceful cats!

The only treats Simba has gotten from me for bg testing e.t.c is plenty of hugs and kisses and getting to sit in my lap. I doubt I could be loved anymore than I am by my Simba and Gustav.

But it was daunting the very first time because I thought Simba would bite me and scratch hit me in my face both with giving insulin and during the bg testing but he never did. My sweetheart

I am worried she won't stay still, but hopefully she is like Simba! I will consider making her food from scratch - she loves chicken!
Molly is a bit rude sometimes, if you don't watch her while you're snacking she'll try to bat the food out of your hand. I haven't' been eating her favorite foods so she doesn't feel tempted lol - she also acts the same as simba at dinnertime

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

I give my cat pure bites chicken treats. You can get them on amazon or chewy. I buy the ones for dog because the bag is bigger for the money and exactly the same as the cat ones.

If you buy the freeze dried chicken treats from your local pet store, look in the dog treat section. Usually they are in a larger bag that costs less per serving than the same treat in the cat section.

 

[Deb & Wink]

Hi Jackie and Molly.

I understand that Marks Marine Pharmacy was backlogged on orders. Lots of snow up there and shipments we being delayed, as much as a couple of weeks.

Please, at least start testing for ketones until you get the insulin. Go to your local drugstore and buy some ketostik. People use them to monitor if they are on a keto diet or are diabetics themselves.

Have you started home testing yet? Even if you are not giving insulin yet, it can be good to learn to home test first.

Would you like some tips on home testing? May seem hard at first, but you'll get the hang of it.

We have a handy dandy spreadsheet you can set up to record all your BG (blood glucose) readings. The template is here and the how to instructions on how to set it up.
New? How You Can Help Us Help You!

What all those items on the SS mean are here.
Understanding the Spreadsheet/Grid

 

[Deb & Wink]

Sienne and Gabby (GA) has suggested that there are many more experienced users of Lantus on the Lantus ISG. You may want to think about posting over there.
Lantus / Basaglar (glargine) and Levemir (detemir)